Shri Sundareshwarar temple at Elanthurai

This Shiva temple is located at Elanthurai village in Thiruvidaimuruthur taluka. This is one of the sapthasthana temples of Thiruneelakudi. This temple is a parihaar sthala for Mangala dosha. This place is about 3 kms from Thiruneelakudi, 11 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Karaikal road. 

Mulavar: Shri Sundareshwarar

Devi: Shri Abhirami

Kshetra vruksha: Badri tree (Elandai)

Sacred Teertha: Vyasa Teertha

Kshetra puran:

1) According to puran, Sage Vyasa visited south India searching for a place to do penance. When he reached this place, he was captivated by the beauty of this place which was full of Badri trees. He selected this place and constructed a tank which is known as Vyasa teertha and did penance. This place is believed to be equal to Badrikashram. 

2) Planet Mangal (Angaraka) worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got rid of his curse. 

About temple:

This is an east facing temple with a 3 tiered Rajagopuram. Shiva Linga is facing east. The Sanctum has the shape of the Linga. Shri Ambika is in a separate south facing shrine. In western parikrama there is a shrine for Shri Vishnu along with his consorts Shri Bhudevi and Shri Sridevi. He is praised here as Shri Bradrinarayan Perumal. He is depicted with 4 hands. Upper hands bear akshamala and bunch of Tulasi leaves, lower hands show Varad and Abhay mudras. 

We come across the following shrines and the idols in the parikrama: Shri Deepalakshmi Devi, Shri Ganesha, Shri Murugan, Shri Dwaraganapati, Shri Gajalakshmi, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra & Navagrahas. The kshetra vruksha is on the east side of the temple. This is small temple visited by Sage Markandeya. 

Those who worshiped at this place: 

Sage Vyasa, Sage Yagnyavalkya, Sage Kapila, Sage Bhrigu, Sage Kashyap, Sage Bharadwaj, Sage Markandeya, Sage Durvasa and Sage Agastya. 

Prayer: 

Devotees believe that taking bath in the sacred teertha on the 1st Tuesday in the Tamil month of Karthigai helps them beget a son. 2nd Tuesday – wealth, 3rd Tuesday – knowledge, 4th Tuesday – all wishes are fulfilled, 5th Heavenly benefits (pleasures)

Festivals: 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Karthigai deepam, also a festival held on last Tuesday of Karthigai, 

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Skandashasthi

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivratri

Temple timings: 7-noon, 5-8.30pm

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs